Gainesville, GA – The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) launched an additional phase of a successful offender reentry program aimed at reducing recidivism on July 26, 2018. The DDS’ Mobile Licensing Issuance Unit traveled to the Lee Arrendale State Prison campus and issued over seventy (70) official state identification cards to qualified offenders scheduled for release within the year. The ability for offenders to be released with official identification, and not an inmate identification card, improves the chances for them to secure employment and housing -- both necessities for positive return to our communities.

“Since taking office, I have made it a priority to implement criminal justice reforms and effective reentry initiatives,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “Thanks to our reforms, including reshaping and strengthening our reentry mechanisms, Georgia is now the national standard-bearer in this area. By recognizing the close link between successful reentry and recidivism reduction, we are taking yet another step forward in providing individuals released from Georgia prisons with the support necessary to succeed when returning to their respective communities.”

One important aspect in a successful inmate transition is the ability to obtain identification – particularly a driver’s license or state ID. Since August 2016, the collaboration between DDS and GDC has resulted in over 11,000 IDs being provided to eligible rehabilitated offenders.

“Providing state identification cards prior to their release eliminates a huge obstacle for returning individuals who want to restart their lives and be positive contributors to their communities. This partnership with GDC is a key component to eliminating the patterns that result in recidivism,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.

“This initiative is furthering our mission to reduce recidivism and allow our offenders to return to society as law abiding citizens,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “We are proud to partner with our colleagues at DDS to provide this important step in the reentry process.”

The joint project includes three types of issuances: Phase I – Returning offenders who had a current and valid DDS record on file were reissued a state identification card or driver’s license which was provided to GDC to distribute prior to release. Phase II – Returning offenders who had a DDS record but lacked Real ID documentation. GDC worked to help the inmate secure an original birth certificate and/or social security number or other required documentation. GDC transmitted documentation to DDS who provided an updated card to GDC for the returning citizen. Phase III – DDS provided on campus mobile issuance to returning offenders who needed photographs and signatures for state ID issuance. The cards are provided to GDC for distribution to the offender prior to release.

DDS is responsible for the issuance of driver’s licenses and state identification cards, conducting over 3.7 million annual transactions for the nation’s eighth largest state across 67 field offices. Find out about many online transactions at www.dds.georgia.gov.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5248 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov.